Disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation planning in New York City
Date
2016
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Climate change has gained attention within disaster management as its current and projected impacts have become clearer. The potential for increased risk in some areas, like coastal cities, is an important part of both disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA). DRR addresses climate-related disasters like hurricanes and heat waves, and is increasingly focused on preexisting vulnerability that allows them to occur. However, its climate change-related efforts have been relatively limited, and often operate independently of similar CCA efforts. This disconnect creates inefficiencies in research and practice, and is a focus of this inquiry, which considers the relationship between the fields by developing an assessment framework. The framework is demonstrated by applying it in a case study of New York City (NYC) through a qualitative, computer-driven analysis of planning documents. Data from 2011-2015 is used, allowing some exploration of how Hurricane Sandy (2012) played a role by focusing attention on ongoing efforts. The results indicate that NYC leads in some ways, demonstrating the role of political leadership, interdepartmental coordination, cross-cutting measures, and incorporating a vulnerability perspective in planning efforts. However, it seems probable that NYC failed to effectively engage existing DRR efforts, or target socioeconomic vulnerability by engaging citizens. Thus, while there are many lessons to be learned from the extensive planning efforts undertaken by NYC, there may be vulnerability within the government itself, manifested as an inability to adapt to changing conditions or directly address root causes of socioeconomic vulnerability.